“THE DAY LABORERS” (“LOS JORNALEROS)–Hispanic Gay Acceptance

“The Day Laborers”

Hispanic Gay Acceptance

Amos Lassen

Mexico meets the United States in this sad and gritty story of Mexican day laborers in California. A group of brothers each having stories of hard work dealing in drugs and prostitution are our characters. Cinematic and real portrayal of issues facing immigrant Latinos is our plot and we learn about how they live.

Made with unknown actors and shoestring budget, “The Day Laborers” is an amazing film. It is a real and honest film that is touching and makes you believe in the good side of the human race. Our characters have a strong sense of family and are easy to identify with. The director tells a beautiful story and he somehow manages to get us to enter the characters on the screen and then feel good with them.

The movie catches you with the first frame and holds you until the last. The performances are absolutely amazing and they really draw you in. We get an excellent portrayal of the immigrant worker and his struggles.

There is a great deal of heart and soul in this small movie with a big message. We learn to understand what these immigrants go through.

The world of Hispanic cinema rarely gives us a positive gay image (with, of course, the exception of Almodovar). In this area, the movie breaks new ground. Aside from being entertaining and interesting, it tells an important story. We see that a Hispanic, Catholic family can accept a gay son.

The movie also attempts to define the American dream. We see how people go after it and how it changes tem. The three brothers in the family tell a tale from the heart.

We also see a great deal of growth in attitudes toward gay men and this, if for no other reason, makes this film an important one.